Ask The Herbalist

Today’s Question:

I know we don’t eat the raw fruits & veggies we need each day. Is a children’s vitamin beneficial? Or does a woman’s multi-vitamin really provide what the real thing should be providing? What would you recommend (besides eating better, which we’re working on?!)? Shelley S in TN

Answer:

How does the saying go.. “If I had a dollar for every time I heard that” In my experience, I have met very few families that eat what they consider a balanced diet. The truth is that many of us have aspirations of healthy eating habits, yet daily life tends to get in the way. The good news is that you know what you should be doing and are making an attempt towards that goal.

As to vitamins, many wellness professionals believe that by eating a balanced diet, we can get all the nutrition we need. However, the current thinking, based on studies of soil content, produce evaluations and the length of time the average produce travels before getting to us is leading experts into a new direction that includes supplements. The sad truth is that even when we are eating our ideal diets, the nutrient content is not what it could be if it was organically grown in healthy soil in your backyard and plucked minutes before placing it on the table.

So, yes, especially when we are not eating an ideal diet, supplements can be beneficial. The key is to obtain readily absorb-able supplements. There is much to be said, as this topic takes me an entire chapter to explain in my next book, so bear with me as I try to condense it to a few sentences here! Our bodies were created to absorb “whole foods” not chemicals in their raw or man made state. While our bodies sometimes will store these vitamins and minerals, studies show they are not as bio-available as those in a food form. Since herbs are food, herbal vitamins and mineral blends are a good option for some nutrients. Others can be purchased in a whole food form. Our family supplements with either herbal minerals, herbal vitamins and with whole food supplements.

Other important supplements that may be useful in a less than ideal diet are probiotics (more on these in the April newsletter), fish or flax seed oils, and immune supporting herbs.

Ask the Herbalist

Today’s Question:

I know we don’t eat the raw fruits & veggies we need each day. Is a children’s vitamin beneficial? Or does a woman’s multi-vitamin really provide what the real thing should be providing? What would you recommend (besides eating better, which we’re working on?!)? Shelley S in TN

Answer:

How does the saying go.. “If I had a dollar for every time I heard that” In my experience, I have met very few families that eat what they consider a balanced diet. The truth is that many of us have aspirations of healthy eating habits, yet daily life tends to get in the way. The good news is that you know what you should be doing and are making an attempt towards that goal.

As to vitamins, many wellness professionals believe that by eating a balanced diet, we can get all the nutrition we need. However, the current thinking, based on studies of soil content, produce evaluations and the length of time the average produce travels before getting to us is leading experts into a new direction that includes supplements. The sad truth is that even when we are eating our ideal diets, the nutrient content is not what it could be if it was organically grown in healthy soil in your backyard and plucked minutes before placing it on the table.

So, yes, especially when we are not eating an ideal diet, supplements can be beneficial. The key is to obtain readily absorb-able supplements. There is much to be said, as this topic takes me an entire chapter to explain in my next book, so bear with me as I try to condense it to a few sentences here! Our bodies were created to absorb “whole foods” not chemicals in their raw or man made state. While our bodies sometimes will store these vitamins and minerals, studies show they are not as bio-available as those in a food form. Since herbs are food, herbal vitamins and mineral blends are a good option for some nutrients. Others can be purchased in a whole food form. Our family supplements with either herbal minerals, herbal vitamins and with whole food supplements.

Other important supplements that may be useful in a less than ideal diet are probiotics (more on these in the April newsletter), fish or flax seed oils, and immune supporting herbs.

G Diapers

As promised, this blog will be a random mixture covering all things related to natural parenting. While I admit every family may not choose to cloth diaper, homeschool, attachment parent and natural birth, I am happy to report that there are options!
What is problem number 1 with cloth diapering? The laundry. While I do feel obligated to add that tiny diapers really do not make up that much laundry.. and there is no folding (which IMO is the worst part), I can accept that it is just one more chore for an otherwise very busy mama.
Enter G Diapers
This cross between cloth and “sposies” as they are lovingly called by cloth diapering mamas, is the perfect solution. Bound with a cloth exterior and a snap in plastic liner, simply tuck in the flushable, thats right, flushable liner into the plastic and there you have it. No bleach, no chlorine, no chemical cesspool on your babe’s bum.
For you environmentalists, the liners are perfect. They flush in the toilet, where their contents belong, and the exterior goes into the wash (yes, wash, but not ‘that kind” of wash). According to many, they are more environmental that cloth diapering.
So, do they work? Yep Here’s where I have to admit to you that my babies sleep through the night very young, like we are still counting weeks, young. However, there is a drawback to all that sleeping.. no way am I waking up to change Micah and possibly wake him up.. no way. So cloth sometimes just does not cut it for these long nights. “Sposies” do, but there are those mega blow outs that happen up his back.
G Diapers to the rescue. Not only do they hold like a cloth and are safe on his sensitive skin like a cloth, they last as long as a disposable. Other perks: they have the clasp in the back, to avoid little ones opening up the dipes; they are great for travel (No way am I carrying an arsenal of cloth on an plane across the country next month) and they are as cute as cloth with bright colors and patterns.
So there you have it, a new diaper alternative that it like nothing else available.

So I was just tagged…

Jennifer, the lactivist tagged me earlier today so now I get to tell you 5 things about myself. Let’s see:

1. I figure skated for years as a kid. Yep, the frilly competing kind, I even went to said competitions and won a gold medal at one of them. I was the only one competing in my category, though

2. We went on a missions trip to Hungary for our honeymoon. While other couples may be laying out on the beach on some island, we were in an orphanage trying to play with kids, whose language we could not speak. We had a blast though, and believe it or not, alot can be said non verbally! We would love to go back one day.

3. This may be related to #2, but I have a huge desire to adopt a little Eastern European “gypsy” baby. They are so beautiful to me with their big brown eyes and dark brown hair. Since Matthew swears 4 is the limit, I am really hoping this is something within the scope of reality.

4. I gave birth to two babies at home… on purpose. OK, so maybe being an herbalist, the shocker is that I had one in the hospital, but until 6 months into my second pregnancy, I never considered myself a “homebirther“. I even warned people against the “dangers” of it — even as a doula

5. Until my second child had feeding issues and refused to take a bottle, I considered all nursing in public gross, disgusting and totally unnecessary. Blanket or not, I didn’t care. Aside from a bedtime nursing, I exclusively pumped with my oldest for that very reason. Yep, a breastfeeding mama thinking breastfeeding was gross.. who knew?

Off to tag a friend.. Micky, you’re it.
Do I lose points if I don’t tag 5 people?

Ask the Herbalist

I am compiling a new section for my website that will contain commonly asked herbal and wellness questions and answers for them. Each new addition will be featured here, in the blog with a weekly “Ask the Herbalist” posting. Got a question? Email Jessie.
Here is this weeks question:

Q. My 7-year-old child has been very restless at bed time. It sometimes takes
hours for her to fall asleep. We have created a very relaxing bedtime
routine, but she is still having a hard time “winding down”. Are there any
relaxing herbs that are safe for children? Rachel H. in TN

A. Great question, Rachel. As you already know, a good routine can be essential in helping children wind down for sleep. When that is just not enough, here are some natural remedies that may help:

Chamomile: Yep, Peter Rabbit’s mother knew what she was doing giving those active bunnies chamomile tea for bedtime. A cup of chamomile tea at bedtime sometimes is all it takes to calm the tummy and relax the body for a good nights sleep. If the child is just not a tea drinker, a drop or two of essential oil can be added to a warm bedtime bath.

Aromatherapy: Speaking of baths, a warm soothing bath with calming essential oils added are a great and pampering way to unwind for bed. Children, especially girls love feeling pampered with bath treats, and a calming blend not only soothes restless children, the scent can make them feel very grown up. If your child is not a bath person, a good massage with aromatherapy oils can also help prepare for bed. Dosages: 2-4 drops of the blend diluted into a bath or massage oil. Helpful oils: mandarin, lavender, geranium, or clary sage. If you have a creative side, try composing your own blend. If not, use them as singles or buy a customized blend.

Hops: If you have a little domestic diva in you, join the centuries old tradition of sewing a pillow full of hops for nighttime slumber. Hops make a great mild sedative when stress or anxiety are the cause. For a synergistic effect, add other herbs such as chamomile or catnip to the pillow. (Catnip may excite cats, but it calms children!)

Valerian: Valerian would be a last resort, in my opinion, for children. This herb is a very reliable sedative. It relaxes the central nervous system and has several double blind trails showing results at both getting and staying asleep. My caution here would be creating a dependence. If used continually, the child may no longer be able to get to sleep without “help” It is great for times of stress, travel (especially time zone changes) and similar situations. A great source for valerian is made by Herbs for Kids brand herbals. It is called “valerian super calm”

Chocolate

Chocolate.. the universal guilty indulgence. Fortunately, modern science has shown some great health benefits of cocao consumption. Today’s newsletter is chocked full of chocolate info, including health benefits, a brief history of this exotic bean, and a great recipe for healthy truffles. Be sure to check your inbox for the newsletter, and if you are not yet signed up, head over here to be sure you don’t miss out!